Apparatus for mounting respirator equipment

ABSTRACT

A frame is provided which comprises a base plate, a bin suitable for receiving an oxygen cylinder, a shock-mounted support plate for a medical respirator unit, a carrying arm, and detachable flexible straps for retaining each the oxygen cylinder and the respirator unit on the frame but enabling the quick and efficient removal therefrom.

United States Patent Inventor Ralph W. Cearly Austin, Tex.

Applr No. 2,006

Filed Jan. 12, 1970 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 Assignee South Coast SurgicalSupply, Inc.

Austin, Tex.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RESPIRATOR EQUIPMENT 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

us.c| 128/1453, 224/45 R, 224/48 R hit. or A61h31/00 Field olSearch224/4s,45 E,45.1,48,48.4,45.15;128/145.5,145.6, 145.8, 203

[S6] Rel'erences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,114,487 12/1963 Miller eta1. 224/45.16 3,123,264 3/1964 Proctor 224/45.13 3,181,756 5/1965 Smilg224/4515 Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-LawrenceJ. Oresky Attorneys-Amold, Roylance, Kruger & Durkee, Tom

Arnold, Donald C. Roylance, Walter Kruger, Bill Durkee, Frank S. Vaden,Ill and Louis T. Pirkey ABSTRACT: A frame is provided which comprises abase plate, a bin suitable for receiving an oxygen cylinder, ashockmounted support plate for a medical respirator unit, a carryingarm, and detachable flexible straps for retaining each the oxygencylinder and the respirator unit on the frame but enabling the quick andefi'icient removal therefrom.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RESPIRATOR EQUIPMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to emergency medical equipment which may bereadily transported to a remote area to resuscitate a person in dangerof asphyxiation, and to provide aid in respiration to such persons.

In the past, persons in critical need of aid in respiration often diedbefore such aid arrived, especially if such persons were in remotelocalities when in need of such aid. Oftentimes, the speedy arrival ofrespirator apparatus or resuscitator equipment on the scene would havesaved the life of the person in need. With modern communication and withthe assistance of rapid transportation to such remote areas, as byhelicopter, it is now possible to save lives in many such instances.There still exists a difficulty, however, in many instances of gettingthe necessary equipment on the scene of the accident. As one example,persons hiking on mountain trails are sometimes stricken with heartattacks. Although a helicopter can reach the general area, it is oftenimpossible to land the craft in that area, in which case an assistantmust be lowered to the stricken hiker. Prior to the present invention,it would be impossible in such an instance to get to the stricken personwithout great delay, anything other than the most rudimentary of medicalsupplies. If the stricken person were in need of respiratory aid, thengenerally the assistant would have to rely on artificial mouth-tomouthrespiration which is often not successful in keeping the patient aliveuntil proper equipment arrives.

Units attached to a litter have been available, but these units are notsatisfactory unless the aircraft can land in the area of the accident.

The present invention provides a unit which may be transferred to thearea of an accident or disaster by helicopter, then lowered to the sceneof the accident by one (hereinafter referred to as an assistant) whowill assist the person or persons in peril. Time is of the essence inmany situations in which the apparatus of the present invention isespecially useful, and the invention provides means by which theassistant may quickly detach and assemble the equipment. Further, andmost importantly, the assistant may perform these functions with asingle hand, leaving his other hand free for whatever other aid must begiven the victim, for example holding against his face a mask connectedto an emergency resuscitator, during the interim period before therespirator system is set up and ready to operate.

The present invention thus makes it possible to save the lives of manypersons who otherwise would die before proper equipment could reach themby means heretofore available.

Still another problem with prior art apparatus has been the lack of suchapparatus which would readily fit alongside the patient in the confinesof a helicopter, once the patient is placed into the helicopter fortransportation to a hospital, especially such apparatus which wouldallow an assistant to manipulate the respirator equipment with one handwhile administering the patient with his other hand. This inventionprovides such apparatus.

A still further problem exists at present with respect to thesensitivity of respirator equipment to vibration (as in an airbomehelicopter) and to impact. The present invention also provides apparatusfor overcoming these prior art problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention comprises a novel frame whichincludes a carrying arm, a shock-mounted base for reception of arespirator unit, means for carrying therein a source of gasunderpressure, and means for detachably securing to the frame each therespirator and the source of gas under pressure.

More particularly, the invention comprises in the illustratedembodiments, a frame which includes a generally rectangular base plate,a pair of upstanding plates along opposite edges of the base plate, anupper plate joining the upstanding plates and oriented generallyparallel to the base plate, a carrying arm in the upper plate, a platespaced above the upper plate and parallel thereto forming a cradle for amedical respirator unit, the cradle being shock mounted, and means inthe cradle and the base plate for detachably retaining the respiratorunit and a gas container, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described interms of a particularly preferred embodiment which represents the bestmode of the invention as known to the inventor at the time of thisapplication, this embodiment being illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of this specification and wherein:

FIG. I is a pictorial view showing the frame with respirator and gascylinder mounted in position for transit;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the frame shown in FIG. I, the respirator andcylinder having been removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the frame shown in FIG. I and 2; and,

FIG. 4 is an end view of the frame shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Turning now to a moredetailed description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, there is shown in FIG. I apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention which includes in a single unit detached from othermountings, means for detachably retaining a source of gas under pressuresuch as an oxygen cylinder, means for detachably retaining a medicalrespirator, and means for conveniently carrying the apparatus andequipment mounted thereon.

In the contexts of use in which the present invention will be used,e.g., in locales where electrical connection is not available, thesource of gas under pressure is conveniently a cylinder 2 filled withoxygen or a gaseous mixture rich in oxygen. The cylinder 2 is providedwith the necessary attachments and pressure regulator valves 4 as iswell known in the art. Means for detachably retaining the cylinder 2 andassociated apparatus desirably includes a flat, generally rectangularmetal base plate 12. The edges of the plate 12 are, for purposes ofexplanation herein, denoted as side edges 12a and 12b, front edge 12c,and rear edge 12d.

Along side edges 12a and 12b are upstanding walls 16 and 18 which extendthrough a central portion of the apparatus, terminating a substantialdistance from each the front edge 12c and the rear edge 12d of baseplate 12. The walls 16 and 18, which are parallel and of equal height,and perpendicular to base plate 12, are desirably formed by securingflat metal plates, as by welding, to the base plate 12. The top edges ofthe walls 16 and 18 are joined by an upper plate 22 which is parallel tobase plate 12.

Desirably, an intermediate upstanding wall 20 is formed by affixinganother flat plate parallel to each of the walls I6 and I8 andofsubstantially equal height to those walls. The wall 20 cooperates withthe wall [8, base plate 12 and upper plate 22 to form a cylinderretaining bin 32, and cooperates with the wall 16, upper plate 22 andbase plate 12, to form an auxiliary equipment retaining bin 34.

One end of the cylinder retaining bin 32 is desirably provided with aretaining wall suitable for preventing the cylinder 2 from sliding outof the bin 32 upon tilting of the apparatus. The cylinder retaining wall14 is desirably formed by affixing an L-shaped plate 15, as by welding,to the underside'of the base plate 12 at the front end 12c thereof, in amanner such that the longer side of the plate extends across the openingat the front side of bin 32 from at least approximately the edge 12:: ofbase plate I2 to a point at least approximately aligned with the centerupstanding wall 20.

Suitable means are included in the base plate 12 for detachablyretaining the cylinder 2 thereon, such means being of a naturesufficient for quick and ready release of the cylinder from the baseplate by use of a single hand of the assistant. Such means desirablycomprise loop means such as the U-bolts 46 and 47 spaced apart onopposite sides of the projection made by the cylinder 2 on the baseplate 12 when the cylinder is mounted on the plate, this location beingillustrated in FIG. 2. A flexible strap 50 may then be attached to oneof these U-bolts and detachably secured to the other such bolt, so thatrelease of the strap allows quick release of the cylinder 2 from itsmounting. Alternatively, two more bolts of this nature near the othertwo corners of the projection of cylinder 2 on base plate 12 may beemployed if desired.

Means for shock mounting a respirator unit 6 desirably comprise agenerally flat metal support plate 24 mounted atop the upper plate 22,and spaced a small distance therefrom, with a layer of shock-absorbingmaterial 25, such as cork, therebetween. The support plate 24 isdesirably contiguous with the front edge, rear edge, and one side edgeof the upper plate 22, but does not extend completely across the upperplate 22, instead terminating along a line approximately aligned with anupward projection of the center upstanding wall 20. The plate 24 may beaflixed to the plate 22 by any suitable means, for example by means ofthe bolts; substantially all the space between the plates 24 and 22 isdesirably occupied by the shock-absorbing material.

Along each the front and rear edges of the support plate 24 aredesirably formed upstanding lips 26 and 28, respectively, to prevent therespirator unit 6 from sliding off either the front or the rear of thesupport plate 24 while the apparatus is being carried.

The type of respirator unit employed with this invention is not the gasmask" type which is used to protect the wearer against noxious fumes,but rather the medical type respirator unit such as that sold under thetrademark Mark 7" by the Bird Corporation, Richmond California.

Means for detachably retaining the respirator unit 6 on the supportplate 24 desirably include fixed loop means through which straps may belooped, such as the eye bolts 48, 49, one mounted on each side of theplate 24. When the respirator unit 6 is placed in a central position onthe plate 24, a flexible strap 52 is securely affixed to one of the eyebolts and detachably secured to the other, in a manner such that theassistant may, with a single hand, readily detach the strap to quicklyrelease the respirator unit.

Means by which an operator may readily carry the apparatus l andequipment mounted thereon desirably takes the form of a carrying arm 30which could be of any suitable shape but desirably takes the form of aninverted U as illustrated in FIG. 3. Provision of the carrying arm inthis manner enables a single assistant to transport the apparatus with asingle hand while using his other hand for another purpose. This is ofvital importance in the contexts of use in which the present inventionfinds its greatest utility, as presently viewed. For example, provisionof the carrying arm in this manner enables an assistant to carry theapparatus and rescue equipment while being lowered on a rope from ahelicopter to a victim located in an area where the helicopter cannotland. The carrying arm 30 should extend a greater distance from upperplate 22 than the uppermost part of respirator unit 6, so that the unitmay be more conveniently carried.

Means for softening the impact upon the apparatus as a result of impactupon a surface (as would occur, for example, if an assistant is loweredfrom a helicopter to the ground with the unit in his hand) are desirablyincluded on the underside of the base plate 12. Such means desirablytake the form of rubber bumpers 36, 38, 40, 42, advantageously spacednear the four corners of the base plate 12.

Any type of auxiliary equipment such as a flexible bag emergencyresuscitator unit, face mask, medication, flexible hose, etc. may beconveniently placed in the auxiliary equipment bin 34.

Any suitable materials of construction might be employed in constructionof the frame 10, but it has been found particularly desirable toconstruct the major portions of apparatus, such as the plates l2, l6,I8, 20, 22 and 24, of a lightweight metal such as aluminum.

It is seen from the above discussion that apparatus is provided forfacilitating transport of respirator equipment to the scene of anaccident or the like, even though such scene may be difficult to reach.The apparatus is readily portable and may be carried by a singleassistant using only one hand. lmportantly, the necessary rescueequipment is detachably mounted on the apparatus for ready detachment bythe assistant requiring again the use of only a single hand. Further,the respirator unit and associated equipment is mounted in a manner suchthat the possibility of damage to the equipment by jarring or impact isminimized.

The apparatus provided as described above is small and compact in sizeso that it may readily fit into a helicopter alongside the patient afterthe patient has been placed into the helicopter for transit to ahospital. Further, the apparatus provided allows the assistant in thissituation to manipulate the respirator equipment with one hand whileadministering the patient with his other hand.

The shock mountings provided for the apparatus as described above, inaddition to providing cushioning against impact, also serve theimportant function of protecting the equipment against the sometimesextreme vibrations which occur in the airborne helicopter.

Although the invention has been described in terms of a particularillustrated embodiment, it will be understood by those of skill in theart that certain changes may be made in the apparatus illustratedwithout departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe following claims.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for mounting a medical respirator unit and a cylindercontaining gas under pressure, in a manner such that said respiratorunit and gas supply can be readily transported to a victim located in aremote region, comprising:

means for mounting said gas cylinder including a base plate, means insaid base plate for receipt of a first flexible strap, and a flexiblestrap fitting over said cylinder, said flexible strap being readilydetachable by an assistant using a single hand, for ready removal ofsaid cylinder from its mounting;

means for shock mounting said respirator unit, including a support plateoperably connected to said base plate and oriented parallel thereto,shockabsorbing material underlying said support plate, means in saidsupport plate for receipt of a second flexible strap, and a flexiblestrap detachably secured to said means and overlying said respiratorunit in such a manner that said strap may be readily released by anassistant using a single band, for quick and easy removal of therespirator unit; and,

a carrying arm on said apparatus, operably connected to each said baseplate and said support plate, said arm being of sufficient size toenable the assistant to carry said apparatus with a single hand, therebyleaving his other hand free for other operations.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim I, wherein said apparatus includesa bin defined by a top wall, said base plate forming a bottom wall, andtwo sidewalls, open at each end, in which said cylinder is detachablymounted.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said base plateincludes a retaining wall mounted across the front of said bin, spacedfrom the front of said bin, for preventing said cylinder from slidingoff said base plate.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said apparatus includesa second bin of similar construction, said second bin being suitable forreceipt of auxiliary equipment.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim I, wherein said base plate isjoined to an upper plate oriented parallel to said base plate, by atleast two upstanding plates generally perpendicular to said base plate,said support plate and said carrying arm being fixedly mounted on saidupper plate.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said support plate ismounted just above said upper plate and generally parallel thereto, thespace between said upper plate and said support plate beingsubstantially completely occupied by shock-absorbing material.

7. Apparatus for assisting a victim in need of respiratory aid in aremote locality, comprising:

a frame which includes a base plate,

first loop means in said base plate for receiving a flexible strap,

an upper plate affixed to said base plate, oriented parallel to saidbase plate but spaced therefrom,

means joining said upper plate to said base plate and retaining saidplates in fixed, spaced-apart relationship,

a support plate mounted above said upper plate and oriented parallelthereto,

meansjoining said support plate to said upper plate,

second loop means in said support plate for receiving a flexible strap,and a carrying arm mounted in said upper plate;

a cylinder containing gas under pressure mounted on said base platebeneath said upper plate, said cylinder being detachably retained onsaid base plate by at least one flexible strap retained through saidfirst loop means; and,

a medical respirator unit mounted on said support plate, said unit beingdetachably retained thereon by at least one flexible strap retainedthrough said second loop means,

all whereby an assistant using a single hand may carry said apparatus bysaid carrying arm to a remote location, and readily detach each saidcylinder and said respirator unit from'said frame also by the use of asingle hand.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the'space between saidupper plate and said support plate is substantially filled with ashock-absorbing material.

1. Apparatus for mounting a medical respirator unit and a cylindercontaining gas under pressure, in a manner such that said respiratorunit and gas supply can be readily transported to a victim located in aremote region, comprising: means for mounting said gas cylinderincluding a base plate, means in said base plate for receipt of a firstflexible strap, and a flexible strap fitting over said cylinder, saidflexible strap being readily detachable by an assistant using a singlehand, for ready removal of said cylinder from its mounting; means forshock mounting said respirator unit, including a support plate operablyconnected to said base plate and oriented parallel thereto,shock-absorbing material underlying said support plate, means in saidsupport plate for receipt of a second flexible strap, and a flexiblestrap detachably secured to said means and overlying said respiratorunit in such a manner that said strap may be readily released by anassistant using a single hand, for quick and easy removal of therespirator unit; and, a carrying arm on said apparatus, operablyconnected to each said base plate and said support plate, said arm beingof sufficient size to enable the assistant to carry said apparatus witha single hand, thereby leaving his other hand free for other operations.2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said apparatus includesa bin defined by a top wall, said base plate forming a bottom wall, andtwo sidewalls, open at each end, in which said cylinder is detachablymounted.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said baseplate includes a retaining wall mounted across the front of said bin,spaced from the front of said bin, for preventing said cylinder fromsliding off said base plate.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2,wherein said apparatus includes a second bin of similar construction,said second bin being suitable for receipt of auxiliary equipment. 5.Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base plate is joinedto an upper plate oriented parallel to said base plate, by at least twoupstanding plates generally perpendicular to said base plate, saidsupport plate and said carrying arm being fixedly mounted on said upperplate.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said supportplate is mounted just above said upper plate and generally parallelthereto, the space between said upper plate and said support plate beingsubstantially completely occupied by shock-absorbing material. 7.Apparatus for assisting a victim in need of respiratory aid in a remotelocality, comprising: a frame which includes a base plate, first loopmeans in said base plate for receiving a flexible strap, an upper plateaffixed to said base plate, oriented parallel to said base plate butspaced therefrom, means joining said upper plate to said base plate andretaining said plates in fixed, spaced-apart relationship, a supportplate mounted above said upper plate and oriented parallel thereto,means joining said support plate to said upper plate, second loop meansin said support plate for receiving a flexible strap, and a carrying armmounted in said upper plate; a cylinder containing gas under pressuremounted on said base plate beneath said upper plate, said cylinder beingdetachably retained on said base plate by at least one flexible strapretained through said first loop means; and, a medical respirator unitmounted on said support plate, said unit being detachably retainedthereon by at least one flexible strap retained through said second loopmeans, all whereby an assistant using a single hand may carry saidapparatus by said carrying arm to a remote location, and readily detacheach said cylinder and said respirator unit from said frame also by theuse of a single hand.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, whereinthe space between said upper plate and said support plate issubstantially filled with a shock-absorbing material.